Why Brannon Snead Says He Walked Away from Baseball Too Early—and What Athletes Can Learn About Timing, Identity, and the Risk of Moving On Before It’s Over

“I Still Had It”—But I Left Anyway

Brannon Snead made a decision that many athletes face:
He walked away from baseball while he still had more to give.

After redshirting due to injury, he had eligibility left. He had arm strength. He had innings to pitch.

But looking at the roster, the recruiting, and the direction of the program, he thought:
“I’m probably not going pro… so let me just move on.”

That moment made sense—until the weight of it hit years later.

Have you ever stopped doing something—even though a part of you knew you had more left?
Drop your story in the comments on the full video and share how it shaped you.

Sometimes the Hardest Regret Isn’t Failure—It’s Premature Exit

Brannon doesn’t regret the career he built afterward.
But he still carries the feeling of unfinished business.

Not because he didn’t achieve anything—he did.
But because he let go before the tank was truly empty.

And that’s a feeling that haunts a lot of former athletes:
“I wasn’t done. I just got tired of waiting.”

When the Timing Feels Right—But Isn’t

That year? The team wasn’t strong.
There was almost no pitching depth. Recruiting was thin.
Brannon would’ve had real innings. Real leadership. Real closure.

But like many athletes, he made a decision based on logic and longevity, not emotion.

Now he looks back and says:
“If I could change anything, I’d stay and finish my career with the people who believed in me.”

Coaches and Parents: How to Spot When an Athlete Is Leaving Too Soon

The danger isn’t always burnout—it’s misreading the moment.

Here’s how to help athletes avoid regret:

✔ Ask whether the decision is emotional, logical, or avoidant
✔ Give permission to finish—without pressure to go pro
✔ Reinforce that fulfillment matters as much as advancement
✔ Respect the weight of closing a chapter the right way

How Sore to Soaring Helps Athletes Leave the Game with Integrity

At Sore to Soaring, we train athletes to compete with urgency—but also to finish with clarity.

✔ We guide life decisions around identity, timing, and purpose
✔ We help players reflect—so they don’t carry regret
✔ And we remind them that quitting early and ending well are not the same thing

🌍 Learn how we help athletes make decisions they can live with:
👉 https://www.soretosoaring.org

Disclaimer:

The content shared is for informational purposes only. This is not a judgment of any person or program mentioned. All names and events are discussed from personal memory and are not meant to accuse or endorse. The goal is to share insight from lived experience.

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